District Clerk Edith Wagner Harrison’s arraignment proceedings are scheduled for Wednesday at the Lampasas County Courthouse. She faces two third-degree felony charges for misapplication of fiduciary property over $30,000 but less than $150,000.
In September, a Lampasas County grand jury indicted Harrison after a special investigation presentation provided by Texas Ranger William “Jack” Gillentine, who serves Lampasas County, and John Greenwood, an investigator for the Lampasas County Attorney’s Office.
After 27th District Court Judge Debbie Garrett recused herself from the case, Dibrell W. Waldrip -- judge of the 433rd Judicial District Court in New Braunfels was assigned as a visiting judge to preside over the case. Subsequently, court documents show that Waldrip recused himself from the case on Sept. 23 in the “interest of justice.”
James E. Morgan, senior judge of the 220th District Court -- which encompasses Bosque, Comanche and Hamilton counties – then was assigned Harrison’s case.
With Harrison unable to serve as the clerk in her own case, Bell County District Clerk Joanna Staton and Bell County Deputy District Clerk Charlotte Waters have had bonds approved to handle filings for the case.
If found guilty of the charges, Harrison faces between two and 10 years in state jail and a possible fine of up to $10,000. The district clerk, however, could be acquitted or receive probation, Greenwood said.
The Dispatch Record also has learned that a petition was filed in June by Shaleah Stevens, a former employee of the District Clerk’s Office, to remove Harrison from her position. Deputy District Clerk Desta Morua of Lampasas County said Judge Morgan will preside over the civil matter, but a citation has yet to be served on Harrison.
After she left the District Clerk’s Office, Stevens served for a time in the Lampasas County Tax Assessor/Collector’s Office. She has since left her employment with the county and is training to become the next city secretary for Kempner.
